[anekho]

Originally Posted by vineethvazhayil

Great stuff Aneesh! I think you should feel two feet taller for getting through this driving test! Respect!

Also, great learning for all of us reading. I live in the snow belt in the US, but I don't think I know what to do in some of the situations of risk driving that you have illustrated very well. Very useful information.

Thank you, vineethvazhayil! Yep, the halkbana was a very important part of the education. Probably my favourite part, considering how much fun it was!

Originally Posted by Sn1p3r

Amazing journey you took all of us.

A lot to learn for every driver. Without L on the front and back, I am sure many readers got their lesson in driving.

I was fortunate enough to drive from Copenhagen to Stockholm via Malmö and Göteborg and it was all respect for drivers. Swedes were much more respectful than French/Italians on road.

Hope to hear more about your winter driving techniques.

All the best!

Thank you Sn1p3r! Ah, I'm guessing you drove on Öresundsbron - spectacular bridge!

Originally Posted by proton

BTW, thanks for the memories!

Very interesting inputs, proton! Yep, in Sweden we're obsessed about safety - the authorities here have a vision - Nollvisionen - with the aim of working towards zero deaths on the road.

Driving a Superbeetle and a 500SL around Sweden must have been fun!

Originally Posted by AlphaKilo

@Anekho, a hearty thanks to your dedicated efforts in penning down every bit of your experience. Was an eye opener and I request mods (@noops) please make this thread sticky so that all our members will get to know and share the knowledge with their near and dear ones that

"Driving is not a right, its a privilege".

Hey, thanks for the kind words AlphaKilo! Glad you enjoyed.

Originally Posted by Thad E Ginathom

Probably even Sweden has an idiot on the roads. Or maybe even two

We sure do!

[shipnil]

Originally Posted by Thad E Ginathom

maybe the saying should be if you can drive in India you should not drive anywhere else. I say that in all humility, because I hate to think what my driving on UK roads would be like now!

That is what I did when I went to Switzerland . I was firstly, quite uncomfortable about driving on the other side of the road and secondly, quite afraid of huge fines the Swiss impose on traffic offences. So I never held a steering wheel of a car while I was there.

One of my friend was driving a car in Switzerland, and as we do in India, crossed the junction on yellow turning to red. He received a fine of 250 swiss francs at his home address.

[AlphaKilo]

Originally Posted by anekho

Hey, thanks for the kind words AlphaKilo! Glad you enjoyed.

Anekho, now comes the question hour.

Can you detail about various "fines" and offences? And also the Points system that one accumulates when caught committing an road/traffic-offence?

littleOT:
1. Hey @Thad, am I correct here with my spelling of "Offence"?

2. My number of Posts has reached the "Jumbo" count finally (Boeing 747 -Nickname "Jumbo")

[Sn1p3r]

Originally Posted by anekho

Thank you Sn1p3r! Ah, I'm guessing you drove on Öresundsbron - spectacular bridge!

Øresundsbroen you mean, wink wink.

Yes indeed, Its only spectacular once you see it from air half tunnel half bridge. Amazing architecture, trains running along you for a while in the tunnel and the you riding above them on bridge. Two different railway styles as Sweden and Denmark have different signaling system.

[Thad E Ginathom]

Originally Posted by AlphaKilo

littleOT:
1. Hey @Thad, am I correct here with my spelling of "Offence"?

2. My number of Posts has reached the "Jumbo" count finally (Boeing 747 -Nickname "Jumbo")

I am the wrong Englishman to consult on English spelling! Probably many of posts bear witness to that.

About the post count: Long may your contributions continue

[anekho]

Thanks for the five star rating guys - much appreciated!

Originally Posted by AlphaKilo

Anekho, now comes the question hour.

Can you detail about various "fines" and offences? And also the Points system that one accumulates when caught committing an road/traffic-offence?

Fines are, to be honest, the same as the rest of Europe. Expensive!

From the day you pass your drivers test you enter a two year 'probation' period. If you commit a 'serious' offense during this period you license is revoked - no questions asked. The only way to get your license again is to take the tests again.

If you commit a serious offense after your probation period, you license is revoked for a certain period of time (can vary from 1 month to 3 years), after which it is returned to you.

There isn't really a points system here. Either it is revoked, or you are let off with a warning + heavy fines.

Originally Posted by Sn1p3r

Øresundsbroen you mean, wink wink.

Hehe, you Danes and your funny characters!

[LithiumSunset]

Aneesh,

Thank you for this thread. Its good that I got to it only now as I was able to go through it in one go. Maybe it got 'hibernated' in the Assembly Line section and missed my attention. And you are good with words.

If there is one thing that sets us apart from the truly developed world, its the value that they attach to life, and how the whole system strives to preserve it.

I still remember my first inadvertent step onto the road in Oslo and the complete surprise at a car coming to a full halt. The car driver was ready to save the brown (possibly jaywalking) moron (me!). I could see he was not angry, he did not honk, he was simply patient. I did not know how to drive a car then, but later the procurement of my own LMV driver's license was the same old story of corruption and apathy. I know our country faces a million problems but there is nothing to stop each one of us from caring for the other.

On a lighter note, I remember that when I came back, I too started keeping my scooter's head lights on during the day only to stop a few days later due to the wild gesticulations I was getting from my co-citizens. My lights were distracting them instead! On their part they were being helpful in trying to point to the fact that I was wasting energy by keeping the light on! Maybe a country with abundant daylight as ours doesn't need the headlight always-on rule, but I may be wrong.

[anekho]

Originally Posted by LithiumSunset

Aneesh,

Thank you for this thread. Its good that I got to it only now as I was able to go through it in one go. Maybe it got 'hibernated' in the Assembly Line section and missed my attention. And you are good with words.

Thank you LithiumSunset, much appreciated! Yes, this thread has been through varying stages/degrees of intense hibernation.

Originally Posted by LithiumSunset

If there is one thing that sets us apart from the truly developed world, its the value that they attach to life, and how the whole system strives to preserve it.

Whilst I'm not a fan of the phrase (developed world) I agree! As mentioned on this thread, all learners are constantly reminded of the fact that driving is a privilege - not a right. This coupled with the long term goal of zero deaths in traffic make for a very compelling and responsible education. Life is valued - and this is an area we *really* need to work on India.

Originally Posted by LithiumSunset

On a lighter note, I remember that when I came back, I too started keeping my scooter's head lights on during the day only to stop a few days later due to the wild gesticulations I was getting from my co-citizens. My lights were distracting them instead! On their part they were being helpful in trying to point to the fact that I was wasting energy by keeping the light on! Maybe a country with abundant daylight as ours doesn't need the headlight always-on rule, but I may be wrong.

The same happened to me this summer when I was driving around in Madras (for the first time!). I had the half beams on (even at day) and everyone made it a point to inform me that they were on! Eventually I decided that they were best left off.

They are however mandatory through all seasons here.

[nipcarlover]

Absolutely loved reading this thread! I am yet to take a driving test (I'm 16) but can't imagine how difficult yet fun this might be. Hopefully in two years time, I am able to write a similar experience (probably not in Sweden though )
Driving tests like this in India would go a long way in improving the driving conditions.

[anekho]

Originally Posted by nipcarlover

Absolutely loved reading this thread! I am yet to take a driving test (I'm 16) but can't imagine how difficult yet fun this might be. Hopefully in two years time, I am able to write a similar experience (probably not in Sweden though )
Driving tests like this in India would go a long way in improving the driving conditions.

Just saw this now, thanks nipcarlover!

Two years to go before you can *officially* drive - I remember how restless how I used to feel then! In hindsight the long wait is worth it and when you finally do get to drive at 18, it is a very special feeling.

[voodoochild]

Originally Posted by anekho

A minute or so later (a very long minute, mind you) the silence was broken.

‘You have passed!’

Anekho, would you also happen to know the trials and tribulations associated with getting a motorcycle licence in Sweden? I will be in Göteborg for the next 2 years or so, and would like to do a fair bit of riding during that time. I hear Norway offers some stunning riding experiences.

Cheers,
Rahul

[Arch-Angel]

Anekho, i must say it was absolutely wonderful reading through your account on what it takes to get a driving license in Sweden. Now, i have immense respect for the Swedes with regards to their driving manners and of course, the process to qualify for it. That by itself can reduce the number of idiots plying on the roads and decreases the chances of one facing an accident.

To say the least, i feel i have been robbed by my driving school for just teaching me how to shift gears and turn the steering wheel. This and general complacency regarding the road rules and lax attitude of the enforcing bodies are only increasing the body count because of accidents. The situation here is only making disciplined drivers cry within and even the remaining regard for safety and driving skills is washed out by the ignorance of the fellow motorists. As one person aptly put it, its nothing short of "organized chaos".

Also, some of the tricks taught to you by Mr J is something i learnt through experience (3 month old driver: me :P).

[anekho]

Originally Posted by voodoochild

Anekho, would you also happen to know the trials and tribulations associated with getting a motorcycle licence in Sweden? I will be in Göteborg for the next 2 years or so, and would like to do a fair bit of riding during that time. I hear Norway offers some stunning riding experiences.

Cheers,
Rahul

Hi Rahul!

The motorcycle-license procedure is at least as long and expensive as the one for the drivers license. You have to do the risk-education (1 and 2), theory and practical test. Motorcycles are limited into different classes based on their weight and power and initially your license will only let you ride a motorcycle of class A2 (35 kW and a maximum of 0.2 kW/kg). Expect the whole affair to cost you at-least 10 000 SEK (~86 000 INR).

Also keep in mind that winters are long and you'll only be able to ride in the summers - say from mid April to mid September. Factor in the fact that you also need to get your license and buy a bike and you're not looking at too much of riding over your 2 year stay.

That said, if you do decide to go for it, I'm absolutely sure you'll have a blast! The roads up here are great and travelling within Europe is a breeze.

Good luck!

PS: I found this site that has a lot of details on the whole MC-license process. It's in Swedish, but google-translate it and you should be good.

http://socialfrihet.se/motorcykelkorkort/

Originally Posted by Arch-Angel

Anekho, i must say it was absolutely wonderful reading through your account on what it takes to get a driving license in Sweden. Now, i have immense respect for the Swedes with regards to their driving manners and of course, the process to qualify for it. That by itself can reduce the number of idiots plying on the roads and decreases the chances of one facing an accident.

Thanks a lot Arch-Angel!

[supermax]

Wow.. What a lovely post here! We took our driving tests in Sweden eight years apart, but most of it is pretty much the same. I see that you are no longer active here, which is a shame. Are you still living in Sweden or have you moved back to India or elsewhere? A few things have changed since you took your DL, but most things are still the same. Here are some of the changes

1. Risk 2 is no longer offered with manual cars now. Whether you choose to learn manual or automatic, Risk 2 is now always offered on automatic cars. Most halkbanas only have EVs. I got my Risk2 experience in a Renault Zoe.
2. More people seem to opt for automatics than manuals these days. I was actually discouraged by many when I mentioned that I wanted to learn to drive stick. I stuck to my guns though, and now own a manual
3. The Volvo V60 is the most common option if you book through trafikverket. If you book through your driving school, you get to drive whatever car you have practiced with most.
4. It's no longer possible to get to do the driving test with a private car, if it doesn't have dual controls. I'm not sure if this was different when you took took the test.
5. Cars sport a brand new sign now, when on a driving test. The sign is in red letters, and says 'Körprov' (driving test) clearly, so that other road users get fair warning, and an opportunity to be a little extra patient and nice with the newcomers, for say some good karma. I always give a little extra margin to cars that sport this sign, in a pay-it-forward manner
6. Did you also have a 2 year probation time on your license when you got it? Now, if you pass your driving test, the first 2 years are considered provotid (probation) where the penalties are extra harsh. If I'm caught exceeding the speed limit, or something else, they simply take back the DL and apart from serving a cooling off period like others, I'll also have to retake my theory, risk training, and the final driving test, in order to get my DL back.

I'm now nearing the end of my probation period, but I'd still need to drive for three more years without incident, in order to be eligible to help my wife learn with me. This five year rule is rather harsh on newly settled immigrants or those who have only recently taken a DL as they can't help their spouses for a long time.